Further joint development work will continue among EBARA BALLARD, EBARA Corporation and Nippon Oil Corporation with the focus on improving electrical and heat recovery efficiencies, reliability and durability. Upon successful completion of the verification testing, a market launch for Japanese Fiscal Year 2006 will be considered.

Efficiency targets are 36 percent for AC electrical efficiency and 76 percent for total efficiency (lower heating value or LHV). LHV is the total amount of energy released when a fuel is completely consumed and the water produced is in vapour form.

EBARA BALLARD is based in Tokyo, Japan and its mandate is to develop, manufacture and sell fuel cell power generators incorporating Ballard(R) fuel cells to customers in Japan.

EBARA Corporation is globally recognized as a major developer, manufacturer and distributor of fluid machinery and systems, precision machinery and environmental engineering systems, and as a leader in zero-emission energy technology.

Nippon Oil Corporation is a leading Japanese petroleum company that is strategically expanding its business into new energy markets, electricity power generation, and environmental businesses. They operate nine major refineries.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of Ballard's management and reflect Ballard's current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this release, the words 'estimate', 'project', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'expect', 'plan', 'predict', 'may', 'should', 'will', the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Ballard with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements.

Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard is commercializing fuel cell engines for transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and stationary products. Ballard is also commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and other electric vehicles and power conversion products, and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction materials for power train components. Ballard's proprietary technology is enabling automobile, bus, electrical equipment, portable power and stationary product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, EBARA, ALSTOM and FirstEnergy, to commercialize Ballard(R) fuel cells. Ballard has supplied fuel cells to Honda, MGE UPS SYSTEMS, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Volkswagen, among others.